Hydraulic Lifters
GreyGoose006
04-05-2006, 04:44 PM
Hey Guys.
I've been hearing a lot about hydraulic lifters. What exactly are hydraulic lifters, and how are they better (i guess i'm assuming that they are better) than standard lifters. if i got this wrong and they are infact the cheapo way to get lifters, what is the better option.
thanks in advance for the help
I've been hearing a lot about hydraulic lifters. What exactly are hydraulic lifters, and how are they better (i guess i'm assuming that they are better) than standard lifters. if i got this wrong and they are infact the cheapo way to get lifters, what is the better option.
thanks in advance for the help
silicon212
04-05-2006, 05:14 PM
Hey Guys.
I've been hearing a lot about hydraulic lifters. What exactly are hydraulic lifters, and how are they better (i guess i'm assuming that they are better) than standard lifters. if i got this wrong and they are infact the cheapo way to get lifters, what is the better option.
thanks in advance for the help
Hydraulic lifters, or hydraulic roller lifters?
Hydraulics do not need valve adjustment. Hydraulic rollers likewise do not need adjustment.
Roller lifters offer lower friction and more aggressive timing (ramp angle) than flat-tappet cams do.
When you add the benefits of both to one, then you can see that hydraulic rollers are the way to go. Rollers, however, require special retaining methods to keep them from twisting or spinning in their bores, which could be catastrophic. Flat tappets OTOH require spinning in their bores or the cam lobes can wear fast. If you're running flat tappets and do not have the special provisions in the lifter valley for rollers (most 1987-up blocks, and some earlier blocks as well - my 1985 '207' block is machined for rollers), you will need to get the lifters which are attached together (the intake and exhaust both attached through a bracket). If you already have rollers from the factory, you don't need this (you've already got it). If you have a 1987 or newer Caprice with the factory engine, you have rollers.
Most engines from the 60s on up have hydraulics in them.
I've been hearing a lot about hydraulic lifters. What exactly are hydraulic lifters, and how are they better (i guess i'm assuming that they are better) than standard lifters. if i got this wrong and they are infact the cheapo way to get lifters, what is the better option.
thanks in advance for the help
Hydraulic lifters, or hydraulic roller lifters?
Hydraulics do not need valve adjustment. Hydraulic rollers likewise do not need adjustment.
Roller lifters offer lower friction and more aggressive timing (ramp angle) than flat-tappet cams do.
When you add the benefits of both to one, then you can see that hydraulic rollers are the way to go. Rollers, however, require special retaining methods to keep them from twisting or spinning in their bores, which could be catastrophic. Flat tappets OTOH require spinning in their bores or the cam lobes can wear fast. If you're running flat tappets and do not have the special provisions in the lifter valley for rollers (most 1987-up blocks, and some earlier blocks as well - my 1985 '207' block is machined for rollers), you will need to get the lifters which are attached together (the intake and exhaust both attached through a bracket). If you already have rollers from the factory, you don't need this (you've already got it). If you have a 1987 or newer Caprice with the factory engine, you have rollers.
Most engines from the 60s on up have hydraulics in them.
GreyGoose006
04-05-2006, 05:27 PM
yeah i have a stock 229 v-6 engine in an 84 caprice classicand noticed that in the spec sheet it talked about hydraulic lifters
PeteA216
04-05-2006, 09:23 PM
When you say hydraulic rollers, do you mean hydraulic roller rocker arms? Is there any difference from hydraulic roller rockers than just plain ol' roller rockers (or are they all hydraulic)? I was considering putting some in my stock 305, but I'd really like to know more about them before just throwing them into the engine.
silicon212
04-05-2006, 10:37 PM
When you say hydraulic rollers, do you mean hydraulic roller rocker arms? Is there any difference from hydraulic roller rockers than just plain ol' roller rockers (or are they all hydraulic)? I was considering putting some in my stock 305, but I'd really like to know more about them before just throwing them into the engine.
Only the lifters would be hydraulic - the rockers are all mechanical.
Having said that, go for a set of "investment cast" chromemoly COMP Magnum rollers.
Only the lifters would be hydraulic - the rockers are all mechanical.
Having said that, go for a set of "investment cast" chromemoly COMP Magnum rollers.
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